PEOPLE who work with or support Ukrainian refugees in the Forest are being invited to attend an online networking session to find out more about the support available. 

Local charity Forest Voluntary Action Forum (FVAF) is hosting a free online information session where people can find out more about Homes for Ukraine in the local area on Tuesday, January 24, at 10am. 

The session is part of the forum’s fortnightly Know Your Patch Network meetings, which connect people from the voluntary and community sector with local services and the community.

At the meeting, Suzie Lane, Senior Commissioning Manager at Gloucestershire County Council, will be talking about county-wide initiatives to support refugees and their hosts, including access to translation and interpretation, emotional support for hosts, GARAS specialist trauma counselling, and wellbeing and emotional support offers for guests.

There will also be an online mental awareness first aid training presentation for hosts or anyone in contact with refugees, along with a toolkit and online sessions from children’s trauma charity Bear Us In Mind.

The session will also feature a discussion about community efforts in the Forest to support Homes for Ukraine, and the ways that organisations and residents can work collaboratively.

Anyone interested in joining the meeting should email [email protected] or call 01594 822073 to get the Zoom link.